An Introduction to DeLeón
A Brief History
DeLeón tequila was officially launched in 2009 and branded as a luxury spirit. In 2014, DeLeón was purchased by Diageo, one of the world’s largest spirits companies. One of the defining features of DeLeón tequila are their beautiful bespoke-style glass bottles that are adorned with hand-carved ‘D’ logos made entirely of sterling silver. This high-class package is truly befitting the high-quality content that it holds.
DeLeón now offers five different tequilas as part of their collection: Platinum, Reposado, Diamante, Extra Añejo, and Leóna (ordered from shortest to longest distilling periods). The longer DeLeón’s tequila is aged, the darker and more golden-brown the tequila’s color becomes. Platinum, for example, is aged for only a few months, hence the tequila’s clear color. DeLeón’s Leóna, by contrast, is aged for a number of years, resulting in a rich caramel-brown color and incredibly smooth and earthy flavor.
How It’s Made
DeLeón is made completely out of Highland Blue Weber agave, which is found primarily in the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico (a region just west of Mexico City). The Highland Blue Weber agave is harvested when their fruits are at their sweetest. The agave is then roasted in a hand-crafted oven made of both brick and clay to begin the fermentation process. Once thoroughly roasted, the agave is ground down and its juices are then distilled and aged to produce some of the most flavorful bottles of DeLeón tequila.
DeLeón Tequila Prices List
Type | Size | Price | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|
DeLeón Platinum | 750ml | $27.99 - $29.99 | 80 |
DeLeón Reposado | 750ml | $39.99 - $69.99 | 80 |
DeLeón Diamante | 750ml | $129.99 - $159.99 | 80 |
DeLeón Extra Anejo | 750ml | $329.99 - $359.99 | 120 |
DeLeón Leóna | 750ml | $649.99 - $699.99 | 80 |
Average DeLeón Prices Compared to Other Brands
Patron
Similar to DeLeón, Patron prides itself on being another premium tequila. The older bottles of Patron, like the Patron Gran Burdeo, typically fetch prices as high as $$419.99 - $499.99, which are very similar to the bottles of DeLeón’s Extra Añejo. Patron and DeLeón are very similar with regards to price, primarily due to their similar distilling and aging process. They definitely give each other a run for the other’s money!
Milagro
Milagro is a much more moderately priced brand of tequila. Milagro’s most expensive bottle, the Milagro Unico 2, usually retails between $269.99 - $299.99, which is only slightly more expensive than DeLeón’s Diamante. The primary difference and reason for the lower prices are Milagro’s shorter aging process. Their cheapest bottle of tequila, Milagro Silver, can usually be purchased for around $20, which is incredibly reasonable when compared to DeLeón’s standard Platinum bottle price.
Hornitos
Hornitos is a tequila brand that is incredibly accessible to the general population and is significantly cheaper when compared to DeLeón. Their cheapest tequila option, Hornitos Plata (375ml), usually retails between $12.99 - $19.99. You can actually taste and see the difference between Hornitos and DeLeón products. Hornitos’ tequila tends to be a lot lighter in color because they’re not aged for as long, but you can definitely see the effect aging has on DeLeón’s tequila, which in turn helps their overall quality and prices.
What should you mix with DeLeón Tequila?
The Spicy Serenade
Yes, you could have a classic strawberry daiquiri or red wine sangria, but why would you when you can have a Spicy Serenade? This cocktail is a great alternative to your regular dinner accompaniment. A little bit spicy, a little bit fruity, and completely delicious, the Spicy Serenade is a must-try option! Simply pour all of the ingredients into a shaker over ice. Shake vigorously and then strain into a new glass over fresh ice. It’s not only beautiful to look out, but will definitely have your mouth tingling with delight.
Ahumando Café
Why make your coffee Irish when you can make it an Ahumando Café? With a touch of sweetness from the maple syrup, a touch of nutty creaminess from the mezcal, and all of the warmth from the coffee and Reposado, this makes for a great after-dinner palate cleanser. Simply add the ingredients to a fresh cup of coffee and stir in the mezcal cream. If you want to add a pop of color, feel free to garnish with a single mint leaf.
DeLeón Salud
This cocktail is definitely a little bit more advanced. It has a lot of complex flavors: sweet, fruity, bitter, and a little sour. This drink is a great option for those looking to really get the most out of DeLeón’s light and smooth Platinum tequila. In a shaker, combine all of the ingredients over ice. Be sure to shake extremely well to allow all the flavors to mix and combine. In a glass over fresh ice, strain the contents of the shaker and garnish with an orange peel. This cocktail will definitely liven up any dinner party you may find yourself at!